Y(OH)3 and Y2O3 with novel structures: Formation and mechanism

Shuttlelike yttrium hydroxide (Y(OH)3) microcrystals attached with microrods in the middle part were prepared for the first time via a facile solvothermal process in the absence of templates or surfactants. Yttrium oxide (Y2O3) with similar morphology was also prepared by calcining the as-prepared Y(OH)3 at 500 °C for 4 h. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) results demonstrate that the as-prepared Y(OH)3 and Y2O3 are attributed to hexagonal phase and cubic phase, respectively. The length of the shuttles is about 15 μm and the diameter is about 2 μm. The attached rods have an average size of 3 μm in length and 1 μm in diameter. Furthermore, the surface of the rods and the shuttles is very smooth. The influences of solvent, concentrations of yttrium nitrate and sodium hydroxide on the morphologies of Y(OH)3 were investigated in detail. Y2O3:Eu3+ microstructures with similar morphology were also prepared and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated.